The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 49 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York worth booking?
The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York is a 0.4-hour experience in New York, United States, from $403 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 49 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (49)
- Duration
- 0.4 hours
- From
- $403 per person
See the Big Apple’s most iconic landmarks and building up close on this popular helicopter tour of New York City, while taking off and landing out of Manhattan Heliport. This is a one-of-kind pilot narrated modern and hi
What you get
- Helicopter flight with shared experience among other travelers.
- Surcharges on fuel
- anding and/or facility fees
- On-board live commentary and cabin with climate control.
About this experience
See the Big Apple’s most iconic landmarks and building up close on this popular helicopter tour of New York City, while taking off and landing out of Manhattan Heliport. This is a one-of-kind pilot narrated modern and historical tour. As you soar above the city that never sleeps, take a look at all NYC has to offer. You’ll see attractions such as: Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Times Square, The Intrepid Museum, Central Park, Yankee Stadium and more!
What's included
Included
- Helicopter flight with shared experience among other travelers.
- Surcharges on fuel
- anding and/or facility fees
- On-board live commentary and cabin with climate control.
Not included
- Photos available for purchase as souvenirs.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
What you'll see and do
Brooklyn Bridge
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Statue of Liberty
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Ellis Island
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Rockefeller Center
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Chrysler Building
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Coney Island
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Central Park
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
George Washington Bridge
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Intrepid Museum
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Verrazzanno Narrows Bridge
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Columbia University
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
One World Trade Center
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Empire State Building
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Pass By
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
Charm Aviation NYC- Downtown Manhattan Heliport 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Charm Aviation NYC- Downtown Manhattan Heliport 6 E River Piers, New York, NY 10004, USA
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Charm Aviation NYC
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A valid government-issued photo ID (passport or driver’s license) is required at check-in. Passengers without ID will not be permitted to fly and no refund will be issued.
- Children aged 2 and over must have their own seat and pay the full fare.
- Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled flight, or 45 minutes if traveling after 4:00 PM due to traffic.
- You may fly anytime between your check-in and flight time.
- All passengers must complete security screening before entering the building.
- Seating is arranged according to weight for safety. Passengers over 275 lbs (124 kg) must purchase an additional seat.
- A rebooking fee will apply for changes made within 24 hours of your flight or for missed flights. Missed flights are considered a no-show and are non-refundable.
- Flights may be canceled if minimum requirements are not met; in such cases, you will be offered an alternative flight or a full refund.
- No parking is available on site; please plan accordingly.
- Sunset views are not guaranteed.
- Please note that the heliport fee was not included for reservations made prior to March 2, 2026 and must be paid separately at $40.00 per person.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 49 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
49 verified traveler reviews for The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent trip. The pilot's commentary was excellent pointing out the various landmarks. We took some wonderful videos and photos. My grandson (18 yrs) ended up sitting in the front with the pilot, which he absolutely loved. You are told where to sit and it worked out well for him! We were a party of 4 and the helicoptor held 6, and I think that it made it more special that there were only 6 of us. We chose the 30 mins tour and it was money well spent. Would definitely recommend.
via Tripadvisor
1st time on a helicopter; awesome experience!
I loved this experience! Everything was very well organized and safe. They explained the safety procedures to us and gave us life jackets. We left our bags in the lockers. The views were amazing and our pilot was educated on the fun facts about New York. The buildings looked so beautiful from the helicopter view. I’ve never been on a helicopter before and I enjoyed the experience and definitely would do it again. They also take photos for you and you can buy them digitally for $35 which was a fun touch.
via Tripadvisor
I wish I could but never got to see the sights
They cancelled the tour the day before our tour as due to bad weather then said no ties until the 3rd January as all cancelled but I see they have advertised again on earlier dates but inflated prices. We booked this over 8 months ago and was looking forward to this but seems like they want to make a few more dollars 🤷🏻
via Tripadvisor
Disgusting
Disgusting, cancelled out trip less than 24hrs before we went. We booked and paid in full July. No apologies. Was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime with family. Completely ruined our five day break and came all the way from the UK. Not impressed and very disappointed
via Tripadvisor
Best tour of the holiday
This was by far the highlight of everything I did on my New York trip! From start to finish the team looked after me and even after the tour itself, thank you so much 💖 you forget how big New York city is until you see it from the sky.. Coney Island etc which I didn't have chance to see otherwise
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 17
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York cost?
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Prices start at $403 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York take?
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Plan for about 0.4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 49 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York?
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Around 17 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 0.4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Empire Helicopter Tour of New York start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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